Sunday, August 17, 2008

Tech Guide 1 - Week 3

1. What is computer hardware and what are the major hardware components?

Computer hardware are devices that together accept datam and information, process and display them. An exmaple of these include:

Processor,

Monitor

mouse

Printer

2. What is Moore's Law/what does it mean in relation to computers.

Moore's Law states that the number of transisters per square inch on integrated circuits has doubled every year since the integrated circuit was invented and that this trend would contine for the foreseeable future. This means every 2 years computer will be faster, more powerful and smarter then ever before.

3. In basic terms, describe how a microprocessor functions.

A microprocessor is made up of :

A control unit which sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them and controls the flow of data to and from ALU, registers, caches and various other output devices.

The primary storage is there to be used immediatly to store very small amouts of information as close to the CPU as possible. The shorter the distance the shorter the data has to travel thus making the computer run faster

Secondary storage was designed to store large amounts of data for a very long period of time unlike primary storage which holds data for a very short amount of time. Even though secondary storage can hold data for longer periods of time, it is actually a lot cheaper when compared to any primary storage device.

Human data input are human data entry devices such as a mouse, keyboard, joy-stick or touch recognition. Where as source data automation devices input data with very little if any human involvment, to reduce error, increase speed and increase data collection. Examples of this include monitors, printers and plotters.

10. What is one new technology that will change how we do things?

Radar Guided Cruise Control is brand new technology that will change the way we drive. It uses little sonar senses in the front of the car to detect if the car infront of you is slowing down. If it does and you dont react it will initially dab the brakes. If more time has passed the car will press on the brakes even harder to help you avoid the car ahead. This technology matched with Lane Assist which also uses senses to keep the car in its lane will change the way we drive. If a car and control our speed (Radar Guided Cruise Control) and keep us in our lane (Lane Assist) in about 10 years time there will be cars that drive themselves eliminating the need to drive and changing our lives for ever.